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I took on the ownership of UE 6832 (William to his friends) my
1928'ish. Chummy in January, 2004. He had been extensively re-built by
John Hearne in Flitwick, Bedfordshire in 2002.
Now why, on the threshold of three score years and ten (me, not the car)
would a normally sane person dash off up country and buy a car seven
years older than himself and particularly an Austin Seven?
Discuss…….
My first mechanical transport was an autocycle purchased at Watford
market for the princely sum of £3 in 1950 when I was still at school.
This was followed by a 98 cc Corgi, also known as the Welbike, built by
Brockhouse Engineering and I believe also used by paratroopers as it
folded flat. After a spell at sea and National Service in The
Royal Air Force I found myself in 1956 as an apprentice at Metropolitan
Vickers, Trafford Park, Manchester. I was now splendidly equipped
with a 150cc LD Lambretta. Two wheels eventually gave way to four (was
there a girl involved?) in the form of a very tatty and chopped about
AG, (I think) Tourer.
No hood or side screens. Driven dressed in an ex. army gas cape
with a large sponge permanently on the lap to absorb excess water as it
rained frequently in Manchester. To my young eyes this car rather
lacked in charisma and I hungered for something with rather more
panache. Then I saw it and fell madly in love. A nicely
original 1925 Chummy. At this time these cars were regarded as
cheap hack transport for the impecunious and usually changed hands for
about £10 or £15. Sevens were a fairly common sight in daily use.
Our supervisor ran a very delightful Gordon England Cup Model, the envy
of us all.
Back to the plot. The lusted after Chummy was owned by a fellow
apprentice named Jock Maltman. I cultivated this guy and
came rapidly to realise that he was very nervous about the Chummy.
He was terrified of the brakes and was unable to master the three speed
gate change. Ah ah! me thinks. A quick run in my Tourer
demonstrated the superb efficiency of the brakes, the complete ease of
the gear changing mechanism and the superiority of the electric wiper in
the inclement Mancunian climate. Jock was also the owner of a fine
set of waterproofs as he had come to the Chummy via several real
motorcycles. Now, when I look back, I am fairly horrified at how
pushy I must have been. Covetous too!
A deal was done and we
made a straight swap plus a full tank of gas in the Tourer.
We remained good friends.
I loved that car and we had a few adventures up North. Gaining in
confidence I headed south to go and visit my parents for a few days.
At the time they lived at Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire. Safely
arrived I parked my pride and joy on the drive for all to come and
admire. My Mother said all the right and nice things, but my
Father seemed rather subdued. A couple of days later, having had a
run in the Chummy, he took me to one side saying ”My boy I don’t
think this is quite the car your Mother and I are happy for you to
be driving about in.” Oh!… .sense of total deflation.
A couple of days later Pa jumped into his Triumph Roadster and I was
told to follow. We ended up at Performance Cars, Chiswick.
Having parked the Chummy I was beckoned onto the forecourt, introduced
to a salesman and lead to a magnificent 1954 1250 cc TF MG. Reg.No
ORU101 a Bournemouth car. I jumped into the passenger seat
in a state of dazed confusion.
A very racy, pacey demonstration left me feeling that I had boarded a
moon rocket by comparison with the Chummy. A deal was done and the
Chummy was taken in part exchange for £20. I drove off without a
backward glance. Fickle fellow. My Pa had bought me a superb
car for which I have been forever grateful. But over the years
there had always been a slight tinge of regret and a feeling that I had
been less than loyal to the Manchester Chummy and that I simply hadn’t
spent enough time with that particular car.
So here we are, almost back to the present at last. In
2001/02 I was starting to feel that it would be fun to own a Seven
again. My wife, Ann, and I owned a Box in 1963/ 64. This was
used by Ann on the school runs when I had taken our Beetle to work.
A club directory in a car magazine provided me with Andrew Jarmin’s
address. A phone call resulted in an immediate invite to “come up
and see the car”. When I got to Polighey I simply couldn’t believe
the Aladdin’s cave of cars and Austinalia almost on my own doorstep.
A quick blast as passenger with Andrew in their Chummy brought all
the memories flooding back and so a “Chummy hunt“ was on, partly to
expunge my long held guilt complex and to hopefully re live an
experience prematurely ended some 50 years ago. I always was
a late developer.
A quick dash to Bedfordshire in the Cavalier to view and gather
information. Another trip to Andrew for more advice on all
the info. I returned with. A quick run back up country with
Andrew’s trailer and a more leisurely return plus Chummy.
From this point on life has been marginally taken over by CA7C!
My ownership of this car has, I feel, exactly epitomized what CA7C and
Austin Seven ownership is all about.
William immediately became my daily transport, well almost as I also use
a scooter. I wore grooves in the road to Carnkie pestering Andrew
about this and that over the next couple of years. He exhibited
endless patience and any phone call to him always elicited the response
“come up and we’ll see what we can do“.
Once the initial euphoria and the challenge of driving the Chummy in
modern traffic had slightly diminished I began to feel that the car was
embarrassingly slow in certain circumstances. Mainly when reduced
to second gear on long hills. We had by this time had the engine
and box out to rectify second gear that constantly jumped out of mesh.
Box rebuilt the three speed gate change was a delight to use, but gappy
and slow. Once in second on any sort of gradient there one
stayed for what seemed like an eternity. Often with mirrors
full of slavering moderns or grim faced cyclists trying to get past.
We usually managed to outflank the older pedestrians.
We talked of modifying the engine and finding a four speed box.
Andrew then heard that another Club member had a later engine and gear
box for sale. This was run on the bench at Polighey. All seemed
good so with a few tweaks it was popped into the Chummy. In
terms of performance this has transformed the car. The higher
compression engine, four gears and the faster change have improved all
aspects of the way the car goes. One up the car feels surprisingly
lively and will storm many hills in top gear. I’m glad to report
that only Tour de France grade cyclists now give me any trouble.
With a new hood and tonneau the car was now looking good and going well.
This happy state of affairs continued until early this year when William
became unpleasantly noisy on the overrun. Never the quietest
of cars, it has to be admitted, but when working hard the mechanical
cacophony was identifiable and acceptable. However, as soon as the
throttle was feathered for any reason the noise became mechanically
painful. When I mentioned this to my guru he immediately upped
sticks and left for some distant land. New Zealand, I think.
Can’t say I blame him. I do hope he comes back.
I
rode my scooter more and drove William less, in the fear that something
might let go. At the tail end of January and out of the blue I
received a phone call from Malcolm Watts to say that if we were in on
Sunday “they” were coming over to sort the car. How could we
refuse? Ann laid in the supplies and I set about getting some
semblance of order in the garage. The Black Hand Gang duly
appeared accompanied by their charming wives. Ladies upstairs
(upside down sort of house) to chat, make coffee, and sort lunch.
Black Handers to the garage to wage war on poor unsuspecting William.
The day was spent making adjustments to the back axle, re lining the
rear brakes, having lots of laughs, plenty of good food and generally a
merry time. Some of us learnt even more about Sevens.
After a brief road test William returned enveloped in a worryingly large
cloud of steam. I have to admit that I had neglected to top
up the radiator. Road test report; problem not solved and
“oh dear me what a dreadful gearbox”.
Thursday OK? Yes fine thanks. Thursday comes and on the dot
the Black Hand Gang returned. My neighbours were duly
impressed by the efficient looking pit crew and the exotic machinery
parked outside. Engine out, gearbox on the bench and stripped.
Monday… gearbox rebuilt with a selection of parts. Friday… engine
and gearbox re united and back in car. A road test confirms that
the gearbox is massively improved, the car is quieter but not yet as it
should be. The plan now is to run the car for a few weeks to settle
things down then replace the carden pin and blocks and have another look
at the back axle.
So
what is the outcome of all this? Well obviously the car gets
better and better and confidence improves as one gains more knowledge.
To me, as a member of CA7C, even more important is the massive and
continuous support that we get from our fellow club members who are
prepared to give their time and expertise so generously. It is fun
and every one has a good time. It is also an excellent excuse to
socialise, other than at organized club outings. Now for all I
know you may well be an expert, or maybe not but a time will surely come
when a second pair of hands or some moral support would be useful.
Don‘t be afraid to ask!
I did recently help as the labourer when we went to sort out another
member’s car. I got a great kick out of doing this, I also enjoyed
the soup, pasties and very good company.
So CA7C……..as in Chummy……..friendly, on good terms, matey.
I would most definitely say so. Thanks every one.
This article, written by Stephen Lewis, originally appeared in Seven Focus April 2008 pp15-18.
Stephen and Ann sold their Chummy to another Club member in March 2016 after enjoying 13 years of Club runs and other events. Stephen sadly passed away in February 2022.